Lots of digging, lots of family

Wed., August 19, 1936 - Howard helped dig silo over home.  The men came over here for dinner.

Thurs., August 20, 1936 - Went to town for Old Settlers Picnic.  Had dinner up home.  Rained good about 6:00 this evening.  We were home by 12:00.

Fri., August 21, 1936 - Howard went over to the folks this afternoon and they dug silo.  I washed up the dishes for Raymond.

I cannot begin to imagine how much digging would be involved to install a silo.  Big around, and I imagine fairly deep to be sure the darned thing would stay put in a high wind.

How interesting that Old Settlers should pop up, given that the weekend before last was our every-three-year family reunion.  Grandma and Grandpa both would have really enjoyed it.  For the first time, I believe, our branch of the family tree was represented via the youngest in attendance; Tanner was 5 weeks old over that weekend.  The number 17 on his onesie says that he is the 17th Iversen born here, from Peter and Maggie's children to Tanner.

As usual, I talked too much to the people I see often and not enough with the people I do not see so much.  Lots of Aunt Helen's family came back for the interment of Uncle John's ashes.  It was a nice service.  I learned quite a bit I did not know about Uncle John when the minister read his obituary.  For example, I had no idea he played in the band for Truman's inauguration.  How cool is that?

In all, a great reunion -- lots of people said so.  And as I said, Grandma and Grandpa would have enjoyed it, probably even more so than some.

All the bases covered

June 9, 1964

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well, here I am, late again.  Hope you had a happy anniversary.

We've been having winter weather.  It really rained yesterday.  But it was really needed.  Snowed up in the mountains.

Took Dale to the doctor yesterday for his physical.  They strongly recommend that all kids have a physical before starting school.  I'm very glad to say he is healthy in every way.  Mary was amazed by the whole process.  Dale had to strip to his shorts and she wanted to take her clothes off, too.  After
the nurse took his temperature she said, "My turn, my turn."  The doctor was real nice.  Talked to Dale all the while and put him at ease.  The kids both got the Sabin oral vaccine.

We had a nice letter from Aunt Ethel.  She said they had gone to the Alumni Banquet and saved Gabe from getting the flowers again.  Have they quit sending out cards about the banquet? I sure would like to get back to one of them some day.

Ever since we got back from Aunt Irene's I've been going in circles.  Seems like I'm busy all day, but I still don't get anything done.  I should be doing some real good cleaning of closets, shelves, drawers, etc.  But never seem to find the time.  Guess I'll just have to set a certain day to start and do it no matter what else needs doing.  Can't say I'm looking forward to it very much.

I'm getting an itch to do some sewing again.  I have a shirt for Dale and a dress for Mary (the same material) all done but.  But haven't felt like finishing them.  I haven't even done any work on my afghan lately.  I don't know what I do with a day.

Sure hope it clears up today.  The kids are just about out of underwear.  I can hang clothes in the basement, but it takes about 24 hours for things to dry.  Especially things like underpants.

I'm afraid my visit to L.A. sort of ruined my weight losing.  All that delicious food and easy living and I gained back nearly everything that I'd lost.  Not that I had lost much, but at least I had made a start.

We got a letter from Bill last week.  He didn't have too much to say, but he sounded in better spirits than he must have in your letter.

Nancy said Lloyd was home.  Is that for good or just a leave?

I didn't get to see Ramon while I was in L.A.  Just happened that he was out to sea at the time.  After all the weekends that he's been in and then he has to be gone just when I'm there.

Tom is coming along this summer isn't he?  Judy and Trina wanted to know.  They said they were going to try and save the bus fare and come up while you folks are here.  I sure got a bang out of those two.

Raymond said he was coming, too.  To see Dale.

Well, I really must get to work.

Love, Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

Mom sure got a lot of things talked about in this letter.  From what she said (not my interpretation at all), she may have been avoiding things like cleaning by writing an extra long letter.  I know that is what I would be doing.

I am guessing the Raymond that was coming to see Dale was Raymond Jones since Mom would have probably referred to Uncle Raymond as . . . Uncle Raymond.

The photo was developed in 1964, obviously from a visit to Nebraska.  I'm using it for two reasons -- it is likely close in time to the letter and it is one of my absolute favorite photos of all time.

What now?

"July 22 and 23, 1995:  Raymond and Marina in Lincoln.
August 3, 1995:  Raymond and Marina left for California.  In p.m., Howard and Marvin A. came to visit.
August 5, 1995:  Greta got some diabetic things for Howard. 
Helen and John visited Raymond Jones during the middle of August.
August 20, 1995:  Went to Lincoln for Anna's baptism.
August 27, 1995:  Katie B. and Louise H. visited here in p.m.
March 29, 1998:  Marina died.
April 3, 1998:  Marina's funeral."

Yup, that's correct -- Grandma went from August 1995 to March 1998 in this particular journal.  I have to remember to grab something new for my next post.  I do not immediately recall a 1998 or 1999 journal, so we may very well take an even greater leap with the next journal. 

Had to post a photo of the lovely Marina.  She and Uncle Raymond always seemed so very happy and infatuated with one another.  It was fun to be around them.

The Raymond Joneses

"August 22, 1993:  Bill and Jayme here for dinner.
August 24, 1993:  Raymond Jones and family came to Helen's.
August 29, 1993:  Potluck dinner at Helen's for Raymond Jones family.
September 2, 1993:  Raymond Jones went home."

Grandma back-tracks a bit in my next post, but she was kind enough to put all the Raymond Jones family stuff together.  How thoughtful.

I know I've used the photo before, it is from 1990 and has Aunt Helen in it, so . . . close enough.  I don't have anything of the Raymond Joneses scanned and ready to use.  Can't you just hear Aunt Irene giggling?  And it's a really nice shot of Aunt Helen.  Oh, shoot -- it's nice of everybody.

Snow in April

"April 13, 1990:  Snow.  Tom came in p.m. and took Raymond J. to Lincoln.  Raymond left by plane Saturday morning at 7:00.
Saturday:  Bill and Jayme came in p.m.  Bill brought the table of Dora's from Fremont."

The snow must not have been too terrible what with all the driving around that went on.  The table of Dora's must have been the one that extends to a table when it normally looks like a simple chest.  If that's the one, I don't know how often Dora had a chance to use it, but it got lots of use after Grandma got hold of it.

I wish I had a history of Dora's life adventures to review.  I have the impression that she didn't let much stand in her way and had a grand time of it.  I loved to hear her tell stories (how many storytellers do we have in the family anyway?  I seem to mention stories often) and especially liked it when she brought a new card game to the family gatherings.  There was also a very fun game with dice that she taught us, but I cannot remember what it was like anymore.  I recall it was great fun.  I have two items that Dora gave me that I treasure very much.  One is a very small blue and white Danish plate.  The other is a short, heavy clear glass vase that has an etching of a little girl on it. 

Dora is to the right in the picture.  I don't have a date, but the photo was taken at a family 4th of July gathering.

More quilting and some visitors

"April 1990:  I started quilting the outing flannel rail fence quilt the 4th of April -- finished it on the 10th.  We had .70 inches of rain on Monday, April 9.

Mon. April 9, 1990:  At 2:00 p.m. John, Helen, Shirlee and Raymond J. left West Covina -- arrived in Winside Thursday April 12 about 2:30."

I love how Grandma made a point of the time the group left and when they arrived.  Not sure of the reason for the detail, but I like it.  In reading ahead, it appears that the California visitors came to escort Uncle John and Aunt Helen back to Nebraska.  Everyone both those two eventually left, and they took possession of their Nebraska home within a month or so.

What to say about Aunt Helen?  For some reason, I think it is funny that Gary introduced Aunt Helen to Uncle John.  I think Gary was a teenager at the time and thought John was a decent guy.  Aunt Helen agreed, obviously.

Aunt Helen seemed to me to be able to have fun whenever and wherever she wanted.  Even in telling a story where she was frustrated with someone or aggravated about something, she seemed to end her tale with a laugh at the whole situation.  I like the story about her standing in line to register for the 9th grade.  The superintendent saw her and told her the 4th grade room was downstairs.  I have no trouble at all believing that she politely, but firmly told him how the cow ate the cabbage.  She was all of 4' 4" tall at the time but mighty, I am sure.  She is second from the right in the photo.